The group previously forecast a £375 million sales hit.

AB Foods said on Friday it still expects Primark’s full year 2020/21 sales and profit to be higher than the previous year.

Primark made a profit of £362 million in its 2019/20 financial year which ended on Sept 12.

The group’s stores in its major markets of Ireland, England, France and Belgium have reopened in the last week.

It said sales in the days since reopening in each of these markets had been “very strong”.

Across its markets, 34 stores remain temporarily closed, including all stores in Northern Ireland and Austria.

AB Foods said all orders Primark has placed with suppliers have been honoured.

The group added that at this early stage in its new financial year trading across its grocery, sugar, ingredients and agriculture businesses has been ahead of both expectations and last year.

It said that it has completed all practical preparations for the end of the Brexit transition period on Dec 31 and contingency plans were in place should its businesses experience disruption.